Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders officially announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday. "I gave it my all. Every single rep, every single play, I tried to go 100 percent as hard as I can. And that's why I can hang my hat and say I gave the game everything I had and the game gave it back to me," Sanders said. The 35-year-old was originally a third-round pick by the Steelers in 2010 out of SMU. He spent his first four years in Pittsburgh before joining the Broncos, where he won his only Super Bowl ring and was named to the Pro Bowl twice. Sanders had three straight 1,000-yard seasons in Denver from 2014-16 and spent 12 years in the NFL. In total, he racked up 704 catches (1,136 targets) for 9,245 yards and 51 touchdowns in 172 regular season games for the Steelers, Broncos, 49ers, Saints and Bills.
Emmanuel Sanders Hinting At Retirement This Offseason
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said he might retire this offseason. "I've got my son; he's getting older. I've got a daughter getting older. And for the past three years, [I've] been traveling and moving from team to team, trying to win a Super Bowl," Sanders told radio host Colin Cowherd, via si.com. "But I've got some reflecting I want to do and possibly retire. I don't know yet. I'm just feeling it out." The 34-year-old showed no signs of slowing down, catching 42 passes for 646 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games in 2021. Sanders needs 755 more yards to reach 10,000 for his career. Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Isaiah McKenzie will be Bills quarterback Josh Allen's top targets if Sanders does decide to hang up his cleats. Stay tuned.
Emmanuel Sanders Remains Healthy Following Wild-Card Weekend
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) made his return from injury for the Bills' playoff game against New England and caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. He come out of that game healthy and was able to practice in full all week, meaning he will remain active against a Chiefs team who he had great success against in October when he caught three passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns. Now, since that time, Gabriel Davis has emerged as a key members of the wide receiver corps; however, Sanders has not been phased out. In fact, Sanders played the third-most snaps among Bills wide receivers during the Wild Card win over New England, so if the Bills need to push the pace against the Chiefs, Sanders could be an intriguing DFS dart throw in GPP lineups.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) was able to practice in full all week and was removed for the final injury report for Saturday's wild-card game against the New England Patriots. Sanders will be back for this weekend's playoff game after he missed three of the final four regular season games with his knee injury. The 34-year-old limped to the finish line in his first year in Buffalo, catching 14 of 21 targets for 148 scoreless yards in his final six games. He also had only five receptions for 42 yards on 10 targets in his two games against a Patriots defense that was pretty stingy against opposing receivers in terms of fantasy points allowed this year. Gabriel Davis, who is also cheaper on DraftKings, is the better DFS play on wild-card weekend.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) put in his second straight full practice of the week on Wednesday. Sanders is on track to play in Saturday's wild-card game against the division-rival New England Patriots. However, he's not a very attractive fantasy option after missing three of the final four regular season contests with his knee injury. And before that, the 34-year-old veteran had seen his production decrease in the second half of the season. Sanders doesn't have more than three catches or 28 yards receiving since Week 9 and hasn't scored since Week 5. He'll come cheap for DFS gamers on DraftKings ($4,300), but teammate Gabriel Davis ($3,900) has more upside and comes at a lower cost.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) was able to practice in full on Tuesday. Sanders missed three of the final four regular season games due to his knee injury, but he's on track to return for the wild-card matchup against the division-rival New England Patriots on Saturday as long as he doesn't suffer a setback on Wednesday or Thursday. The 34-year-old has a cheap $4,300 price tag on DraftKings for wild-card weekend, but Gabriel Davis is more attractive at $3,900 due to his increased role down the stretch, even when Sanders was active. Sanders last scored a touchdown in Week 5 and totaled 14 catches on 21 targets for 148 scoreless yards in his last six games. The veteran pass-catcher won't be a recommended DFS play in what will be his first game action since Week 16.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) is officially inactive for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the New York Jets. Sanders came into this game listed as doubtful, so it's no surprise that he'll close out the season missing three of the last four games. The 34-year-old veteran pass-catcher will finish the regular season with 42 catches on 72 targets for 626 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games in his first year in Buffalo. Sanders closed out the year struggling and basically being passed up on the depth chart by Gabriel Davis. Sanders hasn't scored since Week 5 and didn't have more than three catches or 28 yards in a game since Week 9. Davis, not Sanders, will be more likely to produce for the Bills in the postseason.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) missed practice all week and is doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the New York Jets. Sanders has had a rough second half of his season and will close out the regular season by missing three of the final four games due to a knee injury. The 34-year-old will finish his first season in Buffalo with 42 catches on 72 targets for 626 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games played, averaging 3.0 catches and 44.7 receiving yards per contest. Buffalo will give Sanders another week to rest in hopes that he can return healthier for a playoff run. Based on the last month, Gabriel Davis has become the No. 2 receiving option behind Stefon Diggs in Buffalo's passing attack.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) missed another day of practice on Thursday. Sanders has missed two of the last three games with a knee injury, and he seems unlikely to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the New York Jets. The Bills will probably have the 34-year-old rest his knee for another week before the postseason begins. Besides, Sanders has been off the fantasy radar for some time, as he doesn't have more than three catches or 28 yards in a game since Week 9. He's averaging 3.0 catches and 44.7 receiving yards per game in 14 contests. Gabriel Davis has emerged as the No. 2 receiver, with Cole Beasley and Isaiah McKenzie splitting slot duties.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) missed the team's practice on Wednesday. Sanders was unable to play in the Week 17 win over the Atlanta Falcons and might be held out again in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the New York Jets so that he can be ready to go for the postseason. The 34-year-old has now missed two of the last three games and hasn't had more than three receptions or 28 yards since Week 9. Sanders hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 5, and it's clear that Gabriel Davis has surpassed him on the depth chart, with Cole Beasley and Isaiah McKenzie splitting slot reps. If Sanders misses this weekend's game, Davis will once again be more attractive as a WR3/flex.